Xabi Alonso

[Pacman]

During the summer I thought the lad might pack his bags and head back to Spain and to be honest although I didn't want him to go I thought we had Gerrard, Mascher and Momo so it wouldn't hit us that hard.

Since he has been injured it got me thinking just what a fantastic player the bloke actually is. Against Porto, Marseille and Spurs our biggest problem was not being able to keep hold of the ball in the middle of the park and pass them to death this is exactly what Xabi brings to the team. He might not make the driving runs that stevie does and he might not crunch into players like mascher does but he's such an intelligent footballer that he just makes us tick.

Although again yesterday we weren't 100% we were a dam site better than mid week and I don't think it's any coincidence that it was because was had our Spanish matador conducting things from the centre of the park. Stevie always states that he loves playing football with Xabi and I suspect most of our players do because 9 times out of 10 he is going to pass the ball exactly where you want it.

I hope his injury doesn't keep him out too long because I genuinely do think that Xabi is vital to us if we are going to mount a serious challenge.

[Harv]

Is there any new info on his injury?

did he re break it, or was it just a bad knock?

[Pacman]

Is there any new info on his injury?

did he re break it, or was it just a bad knock?

I'm sure I read Rafa didn't think it was as bad as before.

I hope to god he hasn't broken it.

[DeeGame]

Totally agree with you fatty

[-V-]

Ofcourse he is important. Atleast when he passes the ball forward it actually goes to someones feet. 9 times out of 10 its a liverpool player. Which is helpful considering when he aint there Hyypia just lumps it anywhere

[Pacman]

One thing that came out of yesterdays performance was the formation that we played.

I liked it and with the right players we would rip some teams apart. With the players we've got I'd like to see.

---------------Alonso---Mascher-------------
--------------------Gerrard------------------
---------Babel--------------------Kewell
--------------------Torres-------------------

[red g]

During the summer I thought the lad might pack his bags and head back to Spain and to be honest although I didn't want him to go I thought we had Gerrard, Mascher and Momo so it wouldn't hit us that hard.

Since he has been injured it got me thinking just what a fantastic player the bloke actually is. Against Porto, Marseille and Spurs our biggest problem was not being able to keep hold of the ball in the middle of the park and pass them to death this is exactly what Xabi brings to the team. He might not make the driving runs that stevie does and he might not crunch into players like mascher does but he's such an intelligent footballer that he just makes us tick.

Although again yesterday we weren't 100% we were a dam site better than mid week and I don't think it's any coincidence that it was because was had our Spanish matador conducting things from the centre of the park. Stevie always states that he loves playing football with Xabi and I suspect most of our players do because 9 times out of 10 he is going to pass the ball exactly where you want it.

I hope his injury doesn't keep him out too long because I genuinely do think that Xabi is vital to us if we are going to mount a serious challenge.

[spider-neil]

xabi is VITAL to our team

a) he helps us keep possession

b) he picks out passes that no other (well, maybe gerrard on a good day) can

c) he drops back to pick the ball of the defenders toes (otherwise they aimlessly boot it forwards)

alonso is one of the first names on the team sheet imho, he's a massive loss

[Fivex]

Ofcourse he is important. Atleast when he passes the ball forward it actually goes to someones feet. 9 times out of 10 its a liverpool player. Which is helpful considering when he aint there Hyypia just lumps it anywhere

Nicely put. Why didn't the original poster just say this?

[Armchairkopite]

It was funny watching the game yesterday, when Hyypia got the ball the Arsenal players just stood off him. Shocking use of the ball from a man with so much experience. In fairness to him though I thought he defended really well yesterday especially in the first half.

Alonso is our most important central midfielder imo.

[AFII]

He will be out for around a month the latest I heard.

[Harv]

xabi is VITAL to our team

a) he helps us keep possession

b) he picks out passes that no other (well, maybe gerrard on a good day) can

c) he drops back to pick the ball of the defenders toes (otherwise they aimlessly boot it forwards)

alonso is one of the first names on the team sheet imho, he's a massive loss

couldnt have said it better myself. Especially the bit about collecting the ball from Defenders.

[Dhav]

He will be out for around a month the latest I heard.

Bad news indeed.

As far as I'm concerned he is the most cultured and subtle midfielder in Europe. I've argued at length on here that Xabi is the most important player in our team, and I believe yesterday proved it. He is the key man, and we are much better side with even an off-form Xabi Alonso in it. Tying him up to a new deal could possibly have been the most significant piece of summer transfer dealing out of the lot, especially as he looked close to leaving.

[AFII]

couldnt have said it better myself. Especially the bit about collecting the ball from Defenders.

and that helps a lot when Agger is missing.

[Slim]

I'm gutted that he is injured again